[There are many things Aymeric has come to accept about his friendship with Estinien. The most important of these assertions was that, for all of his grousing, it was not a begrudging relationship between them. There was a mutual camaraderie there, even if the dragoon might have been hard-pressed to vocalize it. He was a man of action, and instead showed appreciation by fighting at his side. It had been no surprise when both he and Lucia had arrived at the Vault, pulling him free from the horrific bonds he'd found himself in.
Yet few are the times that Estinien has ever underscored the value of Aymeric's presence verbally. And though he might seem, for all the world, a man of resolve and confidence, Aymeric had ever been gripped by his own doubts. It was not hard to wonder if he went too far in his efforts to care for the man. Worse over, he still harbored the doubt and guilt that had stemmed from the arrow he had fired, worried that such a moment had cast a shadow on their friendship.
In this single moment, as Estinien speaks, he knows he's doubted for nothing. That despite it all, there was still a deep seated faith placed within Aymeric. He can't say that he believes it to be a valid one, but no longer does he need to question the fact that it's there.
The hand upon Estinien's shoulder does not shift. Instead, he redoubles the effort by allowing his fingers to once again wrapping around the man's forearm, a gesture that has become almost too common between them. They both know what lies beneath that fabric, of the eternal marks that would forever remind them of what had come to pass. For the moment, words fail him, or perhaps he seeks simply to not cheapen this fragile silence with something that surely could not compare to his dearest friend's declaration. But he can remind him, at least, that Estinien had overcome the beast that had taken hold of him. That though said scars might linger upon his skin, Aymeric yet lingered by his side -- just as persistent.
Yet, even as he thinks this, Aymeric knows there is no room for doubt, not now. And though any words he can think of seem like little more than platitudes, he still speaks them all the same.]
There has been no greater honor bestowed upon me than that of your friendship, Estinien. Full glad am I to know that my efforts have never been for naught. Whether it be at the far reaches of our Star, or beyond the stars themselves, my most sacred of duties has ere been to bolster your efforts by standing at your side, literally or otherwise.
[The smile Aymeric offers is soft, a touch hesitant even.]
I should... hope there is no doubt that the feeling is mutual?
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Yet few are the times that Estinien has ever underscored the value of Aymeric's presence verbally. And though he might seem, for all the world, a man of resolve and confidence, Aymeric had ever been gripped by his own doubts. It was not hard to wonder if he went too far in his efforts to care for the man. Worse over, he still harbored the doubt and guilt that had stemmed from the arrow he had fired, worried that such a moment had cast a shadow on their friendship.
In this single moment, as Estinien speaks, he knows he's doubted for nothing. That despite it all, there was still a deep seated faith placed within Aymeric. He can't say that he believes it to be a valid one, but no longer does he need to question the fact that it's there.
The hand upon Estinien's shoulder does not shift. Instead, he redoubles the effort by allowing his fingers to once again wrapping around the man's forearm, a gesture that has become almost too common between them. They both know what lies beneath that fabric, of the eternal marks that would forever remind them of what had come to pass. For the moment, words fail him, or perhaps he seeks simply to not cheapen this fragile silence with something that surely could not compare to his dearest friend's declaration. But he can remind him, at least, that Estinien had overcome the beast that had taken hold of him. That though said scars might linger upon his skin, Aymeric yet lingered by his side -- just as persistent.
Yet, even as he thinks this, Aymeric knows there is no room for doubt, not now. And though any words he can think of seem like little more than platitudes, he still speaks them all the same.]
There has been no greater honor bestowed upon me than that of your friendship, Estinien. Full glad am I to know that my efforts have never been for naught. Whether it be at the far reaches of our Star, or beyond the stars themselves, my most sacred of duties has ere been to bolster your efforts by standing at your side, literally or otherwise.
[The smile Aymeric offers is soft, a touch hesitant even.]
I should... hope there is no doubt that the feeling is mutual?